The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-09-20
SWITCHMEN IN SESSION
The Association of North America Be-
gins Its Second Annual Meeting.
Mayor Denny. Ex-Governor Porter, Colonel
Maynard and Others Address the Delegates
General and Local Railway News.

The mem bers or the Switchmens Mutual Aid
Association Of North America convened yester-
day in Tomlinson Hail. in their second annual
meeting. That the organization is rapidly
growing is evident from the fact that. though
young in years, there are forty-five lodges scat
tered over the country, and there fifty-three
delegates in attendance. Before converting, the
members, escorted by large delegation of the
Brotherhood of Locomotive fremen. preceded
by band. marched through the principal
streets. The general officers and the orators
were driven in carriages, the procession hating
in front of Tomlinson Hall at 10 o'clock A. NJ.
All general officers are present.
The session was opened with William Brod-
erick, master of the indianapolis Lodge. in the
chair. He introduced Mayor Denny in a few
appropriate remarks. The Mayor. IN behalf of
the city, extended welcome TO the delegates
present. He congratulated them upon the
Balutary provisions of their constitution which
through punishment of intemperance, wife, beat.
ing and other bad conduct inculcates good
morsls-and wished them pleasant time and a
convention fruitful in good things TO themselves
Ex-Governor Albert G. Porter was received
with applause. He said that he somewhat
familiar with railroad men, and always felt at
home among them
~ have read your constitution" be said, "and
find that you organized not only for your
own good, but for the good of .he railroads and
the general public. Your business is a hazard
Gus one-there is no occupation. perhaps in
which the hazard is greater. For those of your
comrades who suffer you have made liberal pro-
visions. You not only extend financial aid to
The afflicted. but in every of sickness at
east two visits week to the patients bedside
are nade-vists that often do moro good than
the call Of the physician or surgeon. No mem
Der of your order is bred up be- a
nendicent all he wants is opportunity to
work, and You make it your duty to help find
employment for each other. You are
conservative IN your methods and you do not act
orecipitately in seeking redress of grievances.
The Locomotive Brotherhood have benefited
the railroad companies and you are following in
Bheir footsteps. You do not separate yourselves
by this organization from interest in the welfare
of your fellow-laborers. the railroad companies
or good government When the trumpet of war
sounds have observed that there swords
that leap from the scabbards more quickly in de-
Tense of orr country than those Of the working
men. ] wish you a convention that will benefit
your order and your families, and that will
result in good to the railroads. When through
I wish you a safe return to your families, and.
for those who have no families hope may
hear that they have formed delightful
domestic partr erships"
Col. J. B. Maynard followed ex Governor Por-
-ter, basing his remarks NE statistics of
Poor's Manual, showing the number of men en-
gagged in railroad service. the immense equip
ment they handle. and the Importance of the
switchmens branch of the service. Congressman
Bynum spoke briefly. closing his remarks with
the following advice: Keep jealousies and
cliques out Of your organization; they are the
or politics to enter your order. Milk is nour-
ishing when taken into the stomach, but sim
gle drop injected into the blood will produce
DEATH Religion and politics good in their
places. bnt introduced into orders of this kind
they often prove fatal"
Eugene Debs. grand secretary of the Brother
hood of Locomotive Firemen, was present and
welcomed the visitors. His address
sponded to by Grand Master James L. Mona
CHAN. who reviewed the history of the orgariza-
ton. He stated that IL was organized as a local
body in Chicago In 1877. In 1885 il became
national. Forty-five lodges have been formed.
In the history of the order there had been only
thirteen railroad and public
meeting of citizens upheld the switchnen.
In eighteen months it has paid out $4,000 in
total disabilities. In May last the treasurer
absconded with $1,000 and left liabilities amount
ing to $4,000 John Dewey chosen to
straighten out the finances. and this he has done
admirably. Since June 81, 900 in disabilities
have been paid, and all claims up to August have
been adjusted.
The action taken by this body will be Of
great deal Of Importance to it's future pros
perity. The impression is abroad that this
ganization favors strikes whenever their de-
mands not met The bylaws show that
follows:
Section J. ANY member of this association who
shall engage in strike or encourage any other mem
grand master. shall be expelled from, and cannot
again become a member of this association.
Section 2. All grievances shall be adjusted by
grievance committee of the subordinate lodge If
possible; and only by two-thirds vote can the
grievances be sent the grand master and must be
in writing; and only upon his approval shall strike
take place.
At the afternoon session but little was DONE
except to form an acquain lance with each other
and appoint certain committees This morning
they commence work in earnest, meeting at the
hall Of the Locomotive Brotherhood. Thurs
day, probably, will be the day for electing
officers for the ensuing year The business
meetings Of the association are to be secret.
General Yard master Hicks, of the O.. L., st. l..
& C., extended to the visitors an invitation to
take trip over any portion of the Big Four
system.
Continually Reducing tho Cost of Service.
While much is heard about the extortons of
the railroad monopolies, it is worth while to
note that the cost of service 10 continually be-
coming lower throughout the country. Poor's
Manual. just out, shows that the earnings of all
the railroads during the year 1856 for passen-
gers were 2 1s1 cents a mile, against 9 514 cents
per mile in 1882 while the earnings per mile per
ton on freight were ]. 042 cent in 1885, against
!. 236 cent In 1892 The Let traffic earn
ines per mile in 1856 were 1916 against 2 go
cent in 1882. These reductions have
been made after il was believed that the rates
of transportation had been reduced to the lowest
figure possible to make the railroads valuable
property. The running expenses of railroads
are being reduced slowly each year, which af
fords reason to expect that the cost of trans
portation may be made still lower. The
revenues of railroads are yet largely derived
from freight earnings. During the year,
Go 81 per of the total earnings were derived
from treehts, % II per cent. from passengers,
and 4 20 per cent. from other sources. One of
the facts which will attract the attention of one
who turns over the thousand pages OF this |
wonderful result of labor is the growth of the
railroad system as a measure of the DEVELOPMENT |
Of the country. In 1880 there were but twenty |
three miles of railroad in operation while its |
population was IL, 500. 020 Ten years later the |
number of miles of railroad was ISIS. In 1850 |
the mileage had increased to 9,02I. the number |
of miles built during the year 1856 When the |
census OF 1860 taken. the country had 30 635 |
miles; in 1870. 81, 9l4; in 1880, 90 349 miles and |
in 1856, 1877, $50 miles. With the introduction of /
therefore, the Developments of the |
country really began.
En- gIish and American Coaches Compared.
1t is quite evident that the English people are
drifting toward the American style of passenger